Title says it all. Salt system is all Jandy and about 7 years old. The main pump is on a 12h On and 12h Off cycle. The GFI trips randomly, around once a week, maybe a bit less often. It has never tripped while operating, only in morning when the iAqualink program does a morning start. It has never tripped while running. The pool electrician replaced GFI and entire outlet, cable and box in case some rain was getting in. I understand how GFI works and am puzzled why it never trips once operating (even during torrential downpours and we have had a lot). I thought maybe it was due to an inductive surge on startup happening randomly at voltage peak in the AC cycle. If a true ground fault with a high resistance motor winding short problem, wouldn't this also happen randomly during the day?
Jandy Variable Trips GFI Occasionally on Startup Only
- Thread starter WB2ORJ
- Start date
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,975
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Have you replaced the GFI breaker in the load center? Motors are fairly dirty power. They don't really lend themselves to GFIs. When they get older, they are worse. You may end up just having to deal with this issue. If nothing else fixes it I would consider removing the GFI. Ooops I didn't say that.....
Yeah, the pump motor is causing it. You never know when the pump will have to pull just a little more current than you expect to get itself started. You might need to up the size of the breaker or the wire gauge supplying the pump motor, or get a newer pump motor.
Are you powering through a relay or continuous power from the breaker?
You need continuous power from the breaker.
Also, just let the pump run 24/7 at a slower speed and only speed up for heating if you have a heater.
The Siemens 20 Amp Double Pole Type QPF2 GFCI Circuit Breaker is the best breaker for a variable speed pump.
Siemens 20 Amp Double Pole Type QPF2 GFCI Circuit Breaker US2:QF220AP - The Home Depot
Prevent a ground fault in construction applications like spas, hot tubs, kitchens or bathrooms with this Siemens Double Pole Type QPF GFCI Circuit Breaker.
www.homedepot.com
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,270
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Welcome to TFP.
Outlet?
What pump are we discussing?
How is it wired?
Show us pictures of your equipment setup.
Outlet?
What pump are we discussing?
How is it wired?
Show us pictures of your equipment setup.
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,975
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Are you powering through a relay or continuous power from the breaker?
You need continuous power from the breaker.
Also, just let the pump run 24/7 at a slower speed and only speed up for heating if you have a heater.
The Siemens 20 Amp Double Pole Type QPF2 GFCI Circuit Breaker is the best breaker for a variable speed pump.
Siemens 20 Amp Double Pole Type QPF2 GFCI Circuit Breaker US2:QF220AP - The Home Depot
Prevent a ground fault in construction applications like spas, hot tubs, kitchens or bathrooms with this Siemens Double Pole Type QPF GFCI Circuit Breaker.www.homedepot.com
FYI you can't do this with Jandy automation. It has to start/stop at least once per day.
Yes the GFI breaker in the iAqua Panel enclosure was replaced. I don't mind the occasional inconvenience if no shock hazard potential to swimmers. The remaining issue is with the Polaris booster cleaner pump... it doesn't know the main pump is tripped so it comes on and I'm afraid it will burn out if the main trips one day when I am away.
More current input draw shouldn't trip the GFI if there is no current leakage out via a ground fault or if the GFI breaker is defective. We have tried 2 new GFI breakers.
Thank will get pictures when the rain stops
Main pool pump, a 2hp Jandy VS.
MSchutzer
Silver Supporter
The issue with VSP motors isn't the ground leakage that is causing the GFCI to trip, but rather different levels of AC harmonic signals that they generate back into the AC line driving them. Most GFCI breakers tend to be sensitive to these and at certain pump speed settings these harmonic signals can cause false trips of the GFCI. The Siemens GFCI breaker that @JamesW recommended is the go to solution to stop these false trippings. Evidently this breaker has some circuitry to filter higher frequency noise which makes it more tolerant of the harmonic noise generated by VSP motors.
When I installed my VGreen165 VSP I originally installed a Square D GFCI breaker, and I suffered from the occasional false trips. Changed out the breaker to the Siemens version and haven't had any problems since. Pentair actually sells a relabeled Siemens breaker under their own part number that they recommend for use with their pumps.
When I installed my VGreen165 VSP I originally installed a Square D GFCI breaker, and I suffered from the occasional false trips. Changed out the breaker to the Siemens version and haven't had any problems since. Pentair actually sells a relabeled Siemens breaker under their own part number that they recommend for use with their pumps.
Last edited:
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,975
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
On the scheduler, there must be a start and stop time. I suppose you could just manually start it and not schedule it at all - just run it. If anything on the schedule stopped it though then it would not start again.
Local Home Depot did not have the Siemens but Lowes is shipping it to me and will have it by Sat. Ill keep everyone posted on results. Many thanks to everyone for the thoughtful and quick replies. Awesome group.
Jerry
Update - I replaced GFI with the Siemens. No tripping for 8 days then yesterday work up and pool pump off. At panel, breaker not tripped but I cycled it on-off few times, then checked Test and it was fine. Pump not coming on. Checked and there was 240vac at pump. Cycled Jandy iAqualink controller board waited 5 minutes but nothing. I removed 4 wires from the pump board and jumpered 1-3 and 2-4 and pump still didnt come on so I thought the pump was shot. I replaced the 4 wires and went off to call my Pool guy about swapping my identical 2.7hp Jandy VSP spa/jet for the main pool and all of sudden the main pool pump came on. Ran all day yesterday and came on this morning no problem. We did have some T-storms the night before. Any ideas why my pump is acting so crazy??